Extra curriculars

<p>Hey guys, i have a very mind troubling question that i would liek to ask all of you intellectuals, haha... but anyway, all the people i see on here who got admitted into GT, have like so many extracurricular activities and leadership roles in them, i even question how can one person do all that lol, but the problem i have, is that i play football in a very competitive school, and basically everyday except the weekends is something related to football, so i never have gotten the chance to explore other Ecs to do in my school. Im only a sophmore right now, so i beleive i have time, but im going to be a junior next year playing varsity, so thatll probably even make the free time i have even less. So if yall could, give me advice on what i should look for? how to get all those leadership roles, and etc, thank you</p>

<p>I got in with a few time-consuming ECs and no leadership roles (and decent SAT score, above-average GPA), but I participated in them during all of high school and was dedicated to them. I believe it’s more important to be involved with a few activities that you are really passionate about and can focus on rather than take on hundreds of ECs just to make your application look better. Having said that, I’d still reccommend being involved in as many things as you can.</p>

<p>You should still have time to get involved in other pursuits. Sports and Band are typically the most time consuming activities at most schools, but many of those students still find time to do other things. How many hours a week do you spend on football? If it is less than 15-20 then you should have plenty of time. And football is not as time consuming in the off-season…</p>

<p>Yea, Monday through Friday during season is like 20 hours, but the problem is, our football team during the offseason makes us run track or they will take away from your playing time during the next season… so unfair, so thts how it basically is all year, basically just a cycle. But summer there is time, but what can one do during the summer? And thank you all, can someone probably name one thats actually fun to join and helps with application loooks</p>

<p>Well, you’re participating in sports year-round, that’s good. Maybe you could find something to do on Saturdays, too. And there’s plenty to do in the summer! I don’t know, volunteer somewhere, get a job, etc.</p>

<p>Yea, guess just gotta try harder and look around. Cant get a job, but i can volunteer</p>

<p>As others have mentioned, while a “robust” EC resume might be catchy, I believe that true commitment will probably weigh in heavier in the end.</p>

<p>From what you have mentioned, you are very committed to the football team - to the extent of running track in the off-season. In other words, you are already participating in two very time-consuming activities, albeit they are both athletics. </p>

<p>Like others have already mentioned, just make sure you make time for something other than sports. You have said that volunteering is a possibility, I would pursue that. Personally, I applied with few ECs and got accepted. However, I had a few that I had been committed to for at least three years, including volunteering in a public library and at church. </p>

<p>Overall, find one activity that you would enjoy volunteering for and go for it. Not only would you balance your ECs, but you would also remain “true” to yourself by participating in something that you actually enjoy. I have always lived under the impression that applying to college should not be a process where you “tailor” yourself to meet the expectations of a university, but rather an opportunity to present what makes you unique.</p>

<p>Keep up your grades, follow your true interests, and you will be fine. </p>

<p>Source: Myself (Senior)</p>